Flood insurance in Arizona

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Arizona, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
22,281
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$949
$321 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$62.9M
across 5,336 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
70%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Arizona, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2014, with $8.2 million paid on 287 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE70%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C30%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 45% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Arizona

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding1983310$4.8 million
Flooding1980244$2.0 million
Flooding1993134$1.6 million
Flooding1978116$449 thousand
Arizona Burn Scar Flash Flooding20221$20 thousand

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Arizona with detailed pages, by number of policies. 8 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Maricopa County12,322$7972,633$26.1 million
Pima County2,856$1,019584$7.9 million
Yavapai County1,588$1,220470$6.3 million
Coconino County1,000$1,450295$5.3 million
Pinal County932$832150$3.5 million
Cochise County816$1,056115$641 thousand
Mohave County771$834164$1.9 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Arizona?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Arizona costs about $949 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Arizona?

There are about 22,281 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Arizona, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Arizona flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Arizona have filed 5,336 flood claims, with $62.9 million paid out. 655 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.